Ama Dablam Expedition 2013

Leader and News updates: Paddy Cave

9th November: Paddy called in this morning to report that the rope fixing teams have made little progress since his last report and have only managed to reach Mushroom Ridge before backing off again due to unconsolidated snow. Tanya has been up to Camp 2 and is now heading back down to Base camp and will walk out with Paddy tomorrow.

6th November: The snow conditions on Ama Dablam have been particularly bad this season rope fixing teams were stopped, at a section called the Bowling Alley at the top of the Grey Tower, due to rope fixings not holding in the unconsolidated snow. The team decided to still head up and touch camp 2 and at least have a look to see if they could make any further progress. Sadly conditions were still as bad above the Grey Tower, so the group headed back down to base camp and are now planning to head out tomorrow. Tanya reached camp 1 and is considering heading back up to reach camp 2 with one of the sherpas, before meeting up with her family in Pangboche. Most teams have now left base camp with no summits this season, and gone on to Lobuche East or Island Peak, which our team climbed earlier in the trip.

31st October: All are well and will be arriving at Ama Dablam Base Camp tomorrow. The group summited Island Peak, Alistair stopping below the summit on a fixed line. Great weather for the summit!

24th Oct: Hi everyone, we are all well in Namche Bazaar and heading on to Pangboche tomorrow, it’s great weather here and everyone is well. Paddy

21st Oct: The team have all arrived in Kathmandu now and are making final preparations to fly to Lukla tomorrow.

19th Oct: The team leave their home countries on their way to Kathmandu. Once there they will relax, have a Ministry briefing and enjoy the bustle of Kathmandu from their hotel near the fascinating Thamel district of the city.